Fort Okanogan State Park [WA]

Description

The 45-acre Fort Okanogan State Park is located on the site of the colony of Fort Okanogan, founded in 1811 by David Stuart of the Pacific Fur Company. The fort's name is derived from the name of the local Native American population, the Okinakane. In 1821, the fort changed ownership when purchased by the Hudson Bay Company. The site now includes an interpretive center. Topics addressed therein include the history of the fort and of the fur trade within the local area.

The park offers exhibits, group tours, trails, outdoor activities, and three picnic sites. Group tours are available by appointment only.

Camden-Rockport Historical Society and Museum [ME]

Description

The Camden-Rockport Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of the Camden-Rockport area, Maine. To this end, the society operates the 1770 Cape Cod-style Conway House. The house is furnished in the style of the 18th and early 19th centuries. Other structures on site include an 18th-century barn, a blacksmith shop, an 1820 maple sugar house, an education center, and the Cramer Museum. Museum collections are particularly strong in historic costume and glass. Other artifacts include works of fine art, firearms, and musical instruments.

The society offers a day camp. The museum offers exhibits and a reference library. The Conway House offers period rooms.

Sherwood Forest Plantation [VA]

Description

Sherwood Forest Plantation was once home to John Tyler (1790-1862), the first United States Vice President to ascend to the Presidency. Tyler's term (1841-1845) began after then President William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) died. The plantation was originally owned by Harrison, but was later purchased by Tyler. During his life, Tyler also served as Virginia Governor, senator, and delegate; member of the House of Representatives; U.S. Senator; member of the Confederate Congress; and Chancellor of The College of William and Mary. The residence itself is Virginia Tidewater in style with Greek Revival additions. It sits on 25 acres containing gardens designed by landscape architect Andrew Jackson Downing (1815-1852), a gingko tree gifted by Commodore Matthew Perry (1794-1958) after his 1850s return from Japan, a 17th-century tobacco barn, milk house, smoke house, garden house, kitchen and laundry, and law office. The home is furnished with pieces which belonged to the Tyler family.

The site offers period rooms. Lunch boxes are available on request.

Houmas House Plantation and Gardens [LA]

Description

The Houmas House Plantation and Gardens is a historic estate in the vicinity of New Orleans. The land was originally granted to the Houmas people, who then sold it to Maurice Conway and Alexander Latil in the 18th-century. From there, the site was developed into a sugar plantation, eventually becoming the nation's largest sugar producer. The Greek Revival primary residence on site today was completed in 1828. The plantation suffered economic failure during the Great Depression, and ceased to be a working agricultural site. More recently, the house has been seen in the 1964 Bette Davis film Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte and the televised competition Top Chef. Today, the house contains period furnishings.

The plantation offers guided tours, period rooms, and 38-acres of gardens.

Historical Society of the Town of Warwick, New York and Museums

Description

The Historical Society of the Town of Warwick, New York seeks to preserve and share the history and historical structures of Warwick, New York. To this end, the society offers several museum buildings. These include the 1764 Shingle House, the 1890 Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad Caboose, circa 1825 Sly Barn, the 1819 Old School Baptist Meeting House, the 1810 House, the 1766 Baird's Tavern, and the Carriage House at Baird's Tavern. The 1810 House grounds contain a wheel garden; the Sly Barn contains a wide variety of farming tools and household appliances; and the Carriage House holds a recreated circa 1900 rural doctor's office.

The Shingle House, 1810 House, Baird's Tavern, and the Carriage House offer period rooms. The 1810 House offers exhibits and a wheel garden. The society offers tours.

Friends of Historic Kingston [NY]

Description

The Friends of Historic Kingston is a preservation organization dedicated to maintaining and restoring the architectural heritage of Kingston, New York, the state's original capital city. The organization also operates the Fred J. Johnston Museum, the Friends of Historic Kingston Museum, the Louw-Bogardus Ruin in Frog Alley Park, and the Sharp Burying Ground. The ruins offer an exhibit depicting the 1658 Kingston stockade. The Fred J. Johnston Museum consists of Johnston's (1911-1993) collection of 18th- and early 19th-century furniture and decorative arts, located within the antique dealer's own home and showroom. The circa 1812 structure itself is Federal in style. The Friends of Historic Kingston Museum contains exhibits relevant to local history and Kingston's contemporary art scene.

The organization offers two-hour guided walking tours of the Historic Stockade District, guided walking tours of the Rondout District, a treasure hunt tour of the Stockade District designed for children between 7 and 12 years of age, lectures, exhibits, historic skill demonstrations, and guided tours of the Fred J. Johnston Museum. Appointments are required for groups interested in the district walking tour and/or viewing the Johnston house and museum.

Canterbury Shaker Village [NH]

Description

The 694-acre Canterbury Shaker Village contains 29 Shaker buildings—25 restored and 4 reconstructed. The site preserves the 200-year history of the Canterbury Shakers. Historically, the village was founded in 1792; and, by the 1850s, was home to more than 300 people. Shaker beliefs included using dance as a communal form of communication with God, equality of the sexes, group ownership, and celibacy. Collections consist of more than 30,000 artifacts.

The village offers exhibits, period rooms, three guided tours, self-guided tours, family tours, guided student tours and activities, hayrides, workshops, family activities, educational programs, hiking trails, craft demonstrations, outreach programs, traveling trunks, summer camps, a reading room, archival access, and food for purchase. The reading room and archival documents are available by appointment. Reservations are required for field trip groups. The website offers virtual exhibits on Shaker pets, maple syrup gathering, dentistry, architectural re-use, and area tourism. The website offers games and supplementary materials for teachers and lesson plans.

Old State House [DE]

Description

The Georgian-style Old State House, completed in 1791, served as the headquarters of both the Delaware state and Kent County governments. The first floor contains an 18th-century style courtroom, and the second floor presents the former chambers of the state legislature. Artworks displayed include paintings by Denis A. Volozan (1765-1820) and Thomas Sully (1783-1872).

The house offers tours. Reservations are required for large groups.

Raynham Hall Museum [NY]

Description

The Raynham Hall Museum is a historic home depicting life between the 1770s and 1870s. Samuel Townsend, a prosperous international merchant, purchased the property in 1738. Townsend later served on the New York Provincial Congress. Between 1778 and 1779, the Queen's Rangers, led by English Lt. Col. John Graves Simcoe (1752-1806), made the Patriot family's home their headquarters. During this time, legend has it, Sally Townsend overheard Benedict Arnold's plan to surrender the West Point fort to the British; and informed the Culper Spy Ring about Benedict (1741-1801) and his accomplice Major John Andre (1750-1780). The site displays over 500 artifacts, including pieces owned by the Townsends and others made in Long Island.

The museum offers colonial and Victorian period rooms, colonial- and Victorian-style gardens, and children's summer workshops.

Howell Historical Society and Museums [NJ]

Description

The Howell Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Howell Township, New Jersey. To this end, the society operates the Old Ardena Schoolhouse and MacKenzie Museum. The museum and accompanying research library are located within a circa 1807-1855 structure. The schoolhouse dates to circa 1855.

The society offers exhibits, research library access, activities, and tours of the Old Ardena Schoolhouse. The schoolhouse is open to the public the last Sunday of each month.